15 The New Owls of Valor

CHAPTER 15 THE NEW OWLS OF VALOR "No!" cried Tag. He jumped in front of Thorn and faced Grey and the Owls of Valor. Skyla leaped over to join him, and Blaze did the same.

"Thorn did lots of bad things. But he has done good things too. He saved us in the Cloud Kingdom—all of us. And we would never have found Blaze's family without his help. He deserves another chance," Tag said. "He was banished from Perodia," Grey replied. "He knew what would happen if he returned." "We don't need to fight again," Tag said. "There is another way." He pulled the Ember Stone from his sack. It glowed with magic. Tag looked at Skyla and Blaze, and they both nodded. "You can have the Ember Stone," Tag told Thorn. "If you return the egg."

"What are you doing, Tag?" Grey cried. Thorn's eyes grew wide. "Why would you give me the stone after I tricked you?" he asked. "Show them that you are good, Thorn. Do the right thing," Tag said. He handed Thorn the Ember Stone.

Tag held his breath. Thorn lifted the stone. Light shot out of it in all directions. Suddenly, colorful flowers sprouted from the thorny bushes all around them. Green plants grew out of the ground, and yellow butterflies fluttered in the air above.

"It's beautiful!" Blaze said. Thorn smiled. "It is," he replied. He turned to Grey. "I'm sorry, I don't want to be the evil Thorn anymore. If you'll let me stay in Perodia, I will be Claw and use magic only for good." He handed Blaze the egg. Grey nodded once at Claw. "If you continue to do good, then you may stay." He then turned to Tag and Skyla. Tag gulped. Grey looked very serious. But then he put his wing on Tag's shoulder.

"Tag, you have shown that even the smallest owl can be strong and brave," Grey said. He pulled out a golden medal and put it around Tag's neck. "You are now an Owl of Valor."